Tire vulcanizer



March 7, 1933. G. J. MEAD TIRE VULCANIZER Filed March 22, 1950 e Sheets-Sheet 2 March 7, 1933.

G. J. MEAD TIRE VULCANIZER Filed March 22, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 A TTORNEY.

March 7, 1933. G. J. MEAD 7 1,900,456

TIRE VULGANIZER Filed March 22, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 III/III INVENTOR.

George J. Mead.

I ATTORNEY.

March 7, 1933. G. J. MEAD TIRE VULCANIZER 6 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed March 22, 1930 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

March 7, 1933. G. J. MEAD TIRE VULCANIZER Filed March 22, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES GEORGE J. MEAD, 0F IVIILW'AUKTEE, WISGONSIHQASSIGNOR TO THELFISK RUBBER 'GOM-' I PANY, OF CHICOPEE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS Tm vULcnNIz ER Application filed March 22, 1980; Serial No. 438,109.

' My invention relates to vulcanizing molds for rubber articles; such as pneumatic tlre casings or tubes.

It is an ob'ect of my invention to prov de a unitary vu canizing' arrangement consisting of a plurality of vulcanizing molds by means of which a single operator mayperform 1 all necessary operations on all the moldsof the unit ata single'point. Another object is to provide an automatic timing mechanism for opening and closing the molds and for moving the mold to and from the mold opening and closing positions. Other and further objects will be apparent from tially online 6-6 of Fig. 2, but with a number of parts broken away to show the operating means of opening and closing the molds; f

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the opera! tion of the turn-table locking and indexing mechanism with certain parts' broken away;

Fig.8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8 -8 of Fig. 7 p p e Fig. 9 is a section taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a section taken substantially on line 10-10 of Fig. 6;

Fig. llis a detail view of the valve mechanism for relieving the pressure in the airbag just previous to theoperation of the said valve; j j

Fig. '12 is a similar view just after the operationof the valve to shut off the pressure and open the bag to the exhaust;

Fig. 13 is asimilar viewshowingthe position of the valve at the mold opening and closing station and a valve operating-arm position'edto' open the valve; a

Fig. 14: is a detailview. taken substantially on line 14'14 of Fig. 13; fl V F'gs. .15 and. 16 are detail views showing the operative positions of the airbag valves;

Fig. 17 is a view of the cam for operating the mold locking and unlocking cylinder valve and a diagrammatic representation of its operation; v. r Fig. 18 is a View of the cam foroperating the mold pick-up and ram-plate cylinder valve and a diagrammatic representation of its operation; and i Fig. 19'is a'view of the cam for operating the turn-table indexing valve and adiagrammatic representation of its operation.

' Referring tothe drawings a turn-table 20,

pivotally mounted about a hub 21,is adapted to support a number of tire molds 22, the lower portion 23"of each mold beingfixed to the turn-table 20 as byscrews 25. A circular rail 26 fixed to the underside of the turn-table 20, preferablydirectly below the molds 22,

rides on a number of freely rotatable wheels 27-journaled in brackets 29 fixed to airame A super-structure 31 mounted on the base frame 30 and extending over the turn-table 20 has, at one end of the structure and directlyv over the path of the molds 22 on the turn-table, mechanism for unlocking the molds, mechanism for removing the upper half of the molds from the lower, and mechanism for positioning tire casings in the open lower mold halves. This mold servicing mechanism will be later more fully described; The turn table 20 is rotated intermittently in such a manner that at each intermittent movement a mold is positioned beneath the mold servicing mechanism. .Asshown in the drawlngs, ad acent molds are successively moved into servicing position but alternate molds may be successivelybrought into position if desired. In the latter casean odd number of molds would be required in order that eachmold be operated upon, whereas in the first case either an odd' or even number of molds may be used. The turn-table 20 is rotated by a'fluid pressure cylinder 32 operating through a hook 33 engaging pins 35 in a member 36 fixed to the hub 21 of the turn-table (see Fig.

' 7). The hook 33 is pivotally mounted at 37 on a block 39 slidable' in ways 40 and operably connected to the piston rod 41 of the cylinder 32. To operate, pressure is admitted to the front of'cylinder 32, thus causing the hook 33, then in position shown by full lines in Fig. 7 to move backward. The hook 333 will engage with. one of the pins 35,.thus drawing the member 36, in which'the pins are held, in a clockwise rotation. Themember 36, being fixed to the hub 21 of the turntable 20, rotates the whole unit.

The hook; 33 moves a distance indicated by dotted lines 42' drawing the turn-table 20 with it. Due to the momentum given such a large body the turn-table has a tendency to continue rotating even though no longer under the influence of the hook 33. In order to arrest this movement I have provided acatch 43' (Fig. 7 adapted to engage the turn-table at one of its frame members 45. The catch 43 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 46 in a bearing 47 fixed to the frame 30. The shaft 46is operably connected through links 49, 50 and 51 to another shaft 52 on which is fixed an arm 53 adapted to ride against the hub 55 of thehook 33. The arm 53 is yieldablyheld against the hub ,55 by a compression spring 56 on-link 50.

At the start of the indexing of the turntable 20 (full line position in Fig. 7 the catch 43, through its linkage, has been moved free from the turn-table. Before completion of the operative stroke of the hook 33 its hub 55 engages the bent portion of the arm 53, permitting the catch 43 under the influence of spring 56.7to move to the dotted line position 43' so that the-next rib in the turn-table engages the catch 43 and brings the turntable to a stop in desired position.

After the turn-table 20 has been stopped in its movement fluid pressure maybe admitted to the back of cylinder 32,,thus returning the hook 33 in readiness for the next indexation. The operation of cylinder 32 is preferably controlled by a timing mechanism as later described. In returning to this posi tion the hook 33 must ride over the pin it is to .engage (dotted lines 33 in Fig. 7), and in order to insure its returnto pin engaging position I have fixed a strip ofspring material 57 to the hub. 55 of'the hook, the spring material engaging with one of the pins '35 and thus pivoting the hook intopin engaging position.

The mechanism for handling the upper mold halves and for positioning an uncured casing in the molds will be described with special reference. to Figs. 1, 2 and 6. This mechanismis carried by a framework 60 erected on the superstructure 31 and com-' prises an inner ram-plate 61 fixed to the pis the lower mold member.

being provided with openings 115 through which the hooks may pass. 1

The upper section 69 of each mold 22 is normally held to the lower section 23 by means of a mold locking ring 70 which may be-carried by either the upper or lower sec tion but is shown as carried by the upper section 69,- ring Til-being provided-with hooked lugs 7 5 adapted to interlock with lugs 7 3 on Before the sectlon 69 is removed from section 23' the ring 70 must be partially rotated to unlock the sections'.' For this purpose I have provided the outer ram-plate with a number of studs 71 whichare adapted-to fit into holes 7 2 in the lock ring when the ram-plates are brought into position to lift the upper mold section .69

from the lower: section 23. The lock ring 70,

as will-be clear from thefdrawings, must be given a partial rotation torelease the pressure of the hooked lugs 75.jof lockiiiigTO on themating lugs 73 on the lower mold section 23, and to bring hooks 75 to notches or spaces 76'tlirough1which thehooks TS-may be drawn: ,TQ-do this I give the outer; ramplate 65 a partial rotation after locating the studs 71 in'the holes 72 in the'ring 70.

Mounted on the framework 60 isa fluid pressure cylinder 79 operating a rack 80 con stantly inmesh with a gear 81 in a member 82 secured to the framework 60. Gear 81 is splinedon 'a shaft 83 ournaled-in and recip rocable with the inner ram-plate 61. Fixed to the shaft 83 adjacent the ram-plate 61 is another gear '84 constantly in mesh with an internal gear segment 85 fixed to the outer ram -plate65. Thus it will be seen that, :by means of the action of the cylinder 79 and ram-plates 61 and 65,; the outer. ram-plate65, and with it pins 71, may be partially rotated about. the, inner rain-plate 61 asufficient amount to unlock the ring 70, y

The genera-l operation of the parts so far described may be summarized as follows.

TVith the turn-table brought to rest with a irrespective of the vertical position of the gear 8l,'shaft 83, gear 84, and gear 85,-pa-rti-' ally rotatesEram-plate 6,5'to disengage the moldlo'cking lugs 73and 75 and move lift- 1 ing' hooks 66 underflange 67. When cylinder 63 is now operated to raise the ram-plates the lugs 66 engage flange 67 to break openthe mold and raise the upper mold half, as shown in Fig. 6, the locking lugs 7 5 of the upper mold member passing through spaces 76 between the lockingv lugs 73 of the lower mold member. It may be found of advantage-to make the lifting hooks 66 on one side slightly shorter so that one side of the mold. is broken slightly in advance of the other side. The force necessary for breaking open the mold is substantial and I therefore provide a hook 77 (Figs. 2 and 6) secured to frame 30 which slidably engages rail 26 of the turn-table at a point below the opening mechanism so that the opening pull is more directly transmitted to the frame.

The mold having been thus opened, the cured tire is removed, the mold lubricated or otherwise treated as desired, and a raw tire placed in the mold. In the form of mold shown, separate bead rings 8'1 are employed. These may be placed on the raw tire and bolted together before the tire is placed in the mold. Preferably, however, I position the bead rings on the tire in the mold. In this case the lower bead ring is first laid in the lower mold (or it maybe made integral with the mold) the tire put in place and the upper bead ring laid in position, as shown in Fig. 6, and forcedinto position by means now to be described. 7 V

A bracket 86 is fixed to the center of the inner ram-plate 61 and isadapted to engage with a bead ring compressor for fitting a bead ring 87 in place on the uncured casing 89 before the upper. mold section 69 is replaced on the lower section 23. The bead ring compressor comprises a bracket 90 held in an arm 91 by means of a pin 92. A'spring 93 about the pin 92 normally holds-the bracket 90 raised from the lower mold section and tire casing. The arm'91 is pivotally' held in a bracket 95 fixed to the super-structure 31, a pin 96 in the bracket being adapted to assist in locating the arm 91 in desired position. When the compressor is to be used it is swung over the mold'section 23, which as previously described has been provided with a tire casing 89and bead ring 87. and the ram-plates actuated downward. The center bracket 86 will engage with the pin 92, thus compressing the spring 93 and forcing the bracket down on the bead ring 87. The ramplates are now raised and the arm 91 and associated parts swung to inoperative posi: tion. The ram-plates are then again lowered, this time to close the mold'members,

and rack is returned to its original position to rotate the locking ring 70 into looking position and to disengage lifting hooks. The turn-table is then advanced to present another mold to the servicing device.

The operation of the three cylinders used same position.

in the vul'canizer; namely, the turn-table on the super-structure and is operated by a I constant speed-motor 97 through speed reducing units 99 connectedto a cam shaft 100 carrying cams 101,102 and 103, one for each cylinder as later described. A bracket 104 fixed to the super-structure 31in line with the cam shaft 100 carries bell cranks 105 operably connected to slides 106 having rollers 107 engaging the cams 101, '102 and 103. Compression springs 108 acting on the slides 106 hold the rollers'107 constantly against the cams. An adjustable link 109 connects each bell crank 105 with-a valve 110 for operating the cylinders, the full line position in Fig. 3 (Fig. 4) admitting the fluid pressure to one end ofthe cylinders and thedotted line position 111 in Fig. 3 5) admitting the pressure to the other end of the cylinders,

The cam movements are diagrammatically described inFigs. 15, 16 and 17. In these figures it will be seen, by reference to the key 112 that theposition of the cams 101, 102 and-103 are taken'with'the shaft 100 in the Assuming a mold in posiion under the servicing device, cam 102 opcrates to lower the ram-plates. The piston in cylinder 7 9 is now retracted operation of earn 101 tofrotate lock ring 7 0xt0 unlock the mold and move the lifting hooks 66 into position. The turntable indexing hook 33, is at rest but in position to operate. As soon as the ring 70 is completelyunlockedand the books 66 therefore positioned under the so i flange 67 of the upper mold half 69, the cam 102 has revolved suficiently to op'erateits I valve and thus admit pressure to the lower end of: cylinder 63; 'This'raises the ramplates-which causes the mold 22 to break and lift the upperm'old section 69 from the lower23f Y i The cured tire new is removed from the mold section to which it'clings and a green casing .89-an'd bead ring 87. are placedin the lower section 23. The operator then swings thebead ring. compressor over the mold sec tion 23. Duringthe abovemanual operations the cam shaft 100 has rotated sufficiently to cause the'cam 102 to again operate its valve. bringing the center bracket 86 down to engage with the bead compressor which acts on. the ring 87 andforces the latter into place in the tire. I

The cam 102 immediately operates its valve again which raises the center bracket 86 from en a ement with the bead compressor which is then swung into inoperative p0 sition. Again the same cam operates its valve to replacetheu'pper mold section 69 on the lower section 23. With the two mold sections in closedjrelation. the m'old'locking cam 101operates its valve, admitting pressure to the back of cylinder 79 to advance rack '80 and rotate gears 81 and 84 counterclockwise, and rotating the lock ring to tightly interlock lugs 73 and 75 of the mold sections. The books 66 are now directly beneath openings 115' in the flange .67 of the upper moldsection69. The ram-plate cam 102 again operates its valve which now raises the ram-plates free of any mold sections. 1

This completes the unloading and loading of a mold, and the turn table indexing cam 103 now operates its valve to draw the hook 33 toward the cylinder 32. The turn-table is turned as'previously described, thus bringing another mold under the loading and unloading mechanism. The hook'33 is then returned by a further operation of the cam 103,on its valve in readiness for the next rotation of the table. The cycle of operations above described is then repeated.

The molds 22 are kept under a constant heat sutficientfor vulcanization of inserted cas ings', "steam being used in the apparatus shown; This steam is brought'to the molds through a circular pipe 116 leading from the hub 21 of the turn-table'20. This hub 21 is rotatably'mounted on a fixed spindle 117 bored to provide a steam chamber 119 fed by amain pipe 120 through the'base'of the spindle 117. The steam is led from the circular' pipe 116 by leads 121 to the lower mold sections 23, these in turn feeding the upper sections by flexible leads 122. 'Removal of condensation of the steam in the molds is provided for by a drain pipe 123 leading from the lower mold sections through a steam trap (not-shown) and into a catch basin 124 shown in my case as being made integral with the spindle 117. Though I have shown the molds heated with steam, other means, such as hot water, may also be used, or themolds may be electrically heated without departing from the scope of my invention.

Tirecasings 89 to be cured are supplied to the operator of the apparatus with airbags 125 which are used to inflate the tire in the mold 22. Air for the bags 125 is'supplied' through a circular pipe 126 led from a chamber 127 in the upper portionof the hub 21 (Fig.8) fed by a lead 129. A valve 130 is positioned below each mold intermediate the pipe 126 and a flexible connection 131, which is clamped to the bag 125 by'the operator. The valve 130 must be closed before the mold 22 is opened and before the connection 131 is removed from the airbag125. Forthis purpose I have provided the valves 130 with index wheels 132'. r

. A pin 133 is mounted in suchposition on the frame 30 that, just before one of the molds 22 is positioned at the station next preceding the servicing devices, it will engage with one finger 134 of the star wheel 132 on,

J valve130 of said mold. The direction of the turn-table 20, and consequently of thevalves 130*,is shown by arrows 135. By the time the turn-table 20 has completely stopped its indexation the valve 130has been closed (Fig. 16) to the pressure and opened to the exhaust, thestar wheel 132 having turned 90 from its open position (Fig. 15). Thus, during the time a mold is being serviced, the airbag 125 in the following mold is being relieved of its pressure. 7

After a new casing to be cured is placed within the mold 22 and all the servicing operations are completed the turn-table 20 is indexed as previously described. After the turn-table moves a short distance the wheel 132 is again rotated 90 thus re-opening the valve and inflating the airbag 125 in the new casing. This opening of the valve 130 is done automatically by a pin 136 carried by an arm 137 slidably and rotatably mounted in a sleeve 138 fixed in a b0ss139 on one of the brackets 29'. -To hold the arm 137 so that the pin 136 will be in position to engage the star wheel I have fixed a pin 140 in the arm 137 adapted to fit into a slot 141 in the boss 139.

When a mold is to remain empty the valve for that particular mold should remain closedQ To accomplish this the operator will draw the arm 137 outwardly so as to remove the pin 140 fromtheslot 141 and, bygiving the arm 137 a sufiicient rotationto remove the pin 136 from 'thepath of the star wheel 132, locate the pin 1.40 in another slot 142 in boss 139. "The pin 140 is firmly held in either slot 141' or 142 by a spring 143 on arm 137. With reference especially to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the mold sections are made up of two units; One 'unit comprises the steam cavity 144 and the other the mold proper 145. For changing' from one size tire to another it is only necessary to remove the mold proper 145 and replace it with the desired mold cavity. "Thus the connections to the molds 2 2 which'lead to the steam cavities 144 need not be changed. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. Vulcanizing mechanism which comQ prises a movable support. a plurality of vulcai..: .1ng molds "mounted on said support,

locking means carried by each mold normally holding the molds closed, mold servicing means'positioned in operative relation to said conveyor, said mold servicing means including means to unlock the mold and means to open and close the molds, means to intermittently move the support to bring the molds, in successive predetermined order, into operative position with respect to the mold servicmeans, and means to maintain the molds at vulcanizing temperature during their movement to and from the mold servicing means. i

Vulcanizing mechanism which comprises a movable support, a plurality of vulcanizing molds mounted on said support, locking means carried by each mold normally holding the molds closed, mold servicing means positioned in operative relation to said conveyor, said mold servicing means includ-- prises a movable support, a plurality of-vulcanizing molds mounted on said support, mold opening and closing means positioned in operative relation to said conveyor, means to intermittently move the support to bring the molds in successive predetermined order into operative position with respect to the mold opening and closing means, means to maintain the molds at vulcanizing temperature during their movement to and from the mold opening and closing means, and means co-operating with the mold opening and closing means during the time the mold is open to force molding rings into position on a tire positioned in the open mold.

4. Vulcanizing mechanism which comprises a movable support, a plurality of vulcanizing molds mounted on said support, mold opening and closing means positioned in operative relation to said conveyor, means to intermittently move the support to bring the molds in successive predetermined order into operative position with respect to the mold opening and closing means, means to maintain the molds at vulcanizing temperature during their movement to and from the mold opening and closing means, means cooperating with the mold opening and closing means during the time the mold is open to force molding rings into position on a tire positioned in the open mold, and timing mechanism for automatically operating the support moving means and the mold opening and closing means. I

5. Vulcanizing mechanism which comprises a movable support, a plurality of vulcanizing molds mounted on said support, lockin means carried by each mold normal ly hol ing the molds closed, mold servicing means positioned in operative relation to said conveyor, said mold servicing means including means to unlock the mold and'means to open and close the molds, means to intermittently move the support to bring the molds in successive predetermined order into operative position with respect to the mold servicing means, means co-operating with the mold opening and closlng means during the time the mold is Open to force molding flags into position on a tire positioned in'the open mold, and timing mechanism for automatically operating the supportmoving. means and the mold servicing means.

I 6. Vulcamzmg mechanism which com prises a movable support, a plurality of vulcanizing 'molds mounted on said support, locking means carried by each mold normally holdingthe 'molds closed, mold servicing means positioned inoperative relationto said conveyor, said mold servicing meansinclud ing-meansto unlockthe mold and means to open and close the molds, means to intermittently move the supportjto bring the molds in successive predetermined order'into' operative position with respect to the mold service 1 mg means, means to maintain the molds at vul'canizin'g temperature during their move: 7

ment to and from the mold servicing means, means for supplying fluid pressure to the articles in the mold during the vulcaniz'ing operation, and timing mechanism for auto matically v operating the support moving means and the mold servicing means. 7

7. Vulcani'zing" mechanism which comprises a movable support, a plurality ofvul canizing molds mounted on said support, locking means carried by each mold normal 1y holding the molds closed, mold servicing means positioned in operative relation to said conveyor, said mold'servicing means including means to unlock the mold and means to open and close the molds, means to intermittently move the support to bring the molds in successive predetermined order into operativev position with respect to the;

mold servicing means, means to maintain the molds at 'vu'lcanlzlng temperature during their movement to and from the mold sew-- icing means, means co-operating with the mold opening and closing means during the time the mold is open to force molding rings 7 into position on a tire positioned in the open mold, means for supplying fluid pressure to; the articles in the moldduring the vulcanizing operation, and timing mechanism for automatically operating the su portmovin means and the mold servicing means; 1

8'. In a vulcanizing. apparatus,- thecombination ofa rotatable. support, a plurality of vulcanizing mold units mounted thereon,

each of said mold units having a rotatable locking ring, means for intermittently rotating said support to bring the mold units successively to a definite'station Where vulcanized articles can be'r'emoved-from and unvulr' canized articles inserted 1n the molds,

a single power mechanism adjacent said station to move the locking rings to their looking and unlocking positions.

9. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination of a rotatable support, a plurality of vulcanizing mold units mounted thereon, each of said mold unitshaving a rotatable its iiof

159? in a line substantially tangential to the turnlocking ring, means for intermittently rotating said support to bring themold units successivelyto a definite station where vulcanized articles can be removed from and unvulcanized articles inserted in-the molds, and V a single power mechanism adapted to detachably engage and rotate the locking rings as the mold units arrive successively at said station. I i 10. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination of a rotatable support, a plurality of vulcanizing mold units mounted thereon, each of said mold units having a rotatable locking ring, power means for intermittently rotating said support to bring the mold units successively to a definite station where vulcanized articles can be removed from and unvulcanized articles inserted, in the molds,

' means for continuously supplying heating fluid and pressure fluid to the molds as they are carried around by the support, and a single power mechanism adapted to rotate the locking rings as the mold units arrive successively at said station. v a

11. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination of arotatablesupport, a plurality of vulcanizing mold, units mounted thereon, each of said mold units having a rotatable locking ring, means includinga pressure cylinder for intermittently rotating said support to bring the mold units successively to a definite station where vulcanized articles can be removed from and unvulcanized articles inserted in the molds, means for con- I tinuously supplying heating fluid and pressure fluid to the molds as they are carried by the support through a complete circuit, fluid-pressure actuating means for rotating the locking rings as their respective molds I arrive at said station, and means for controlling the operation of said locking ring actuating means and said support rotating means. 7 I V 1 12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a turntable for supporting a plurality of vulcanizing molds to be moved successively ,from a definite station through a complete circuit endingat said station, a crosshead guided for reciprocation table, means including a pressure cylinder and a plunger for reciprocating the crosshead, a pawl pivoted to the crosshead and adapted to engage portions of the turntable to propel the same in the forward movement of the crosshead, and a movable stop actuated by said pawl to arrest the movement of the turntable at the end of each propelling stroke of the crosshead.

GEORGE J. MEAD. 

